Scheuermann's disease is a condition of the growing spine in which several bones in the upper back grow into a slight wedge shape, producing a rounded upper back that cannot be fully straightened. It appears during the teenage growth spurt and is the most common cause of a fixed, rounded back in adolescents. Most cases are mild and are managed with exercise and monitoring, and the curve usually stops progressing once growth has finished.
Also known as Scheuermann's kyphosis, juvenile kyphosis, adolescent kyphosis
Anatomy: where the problem is
Side view of the upper back. Highlighted in the diagram: vertebrae of the upper back and curve of the upper back.
Symptoms
- A rounded upper back that does not flatten when standing tall or lying down
- Aching in the middle of the back, often after sitting, standing or sport
- Stiffness in the upper back
- Tight hamstrings and tight muscles across the chest
- Tiredness in the back by the end of the day
- A sharper, more angular curve when bending forward
Causes and risk factors
- The cause is not fully understood
- It tends to run in families
- It develops during the adolescent growth spurt
- It is not caused by slouching or by carrying a heavy school bag
- It may be slightly more common in boys
What the evidence says helps
- Diagnosis is confirmed on an X-ray, which shows wedging of several vertebrae in a row. This separates it from a flexible postural curve.1
- Most cases are treated conservatively with exercise and monitoring through growth. A brace is sometimes used for larger curves while the spine is still growing.1
- In a randomised trial, a programme of specific back exercises improved the curve and symptoms in people with Scheuermann's disease more than a general exercise programme.3
- Surgery is uncommon and is limited to severe curves when conservative treatment has not worked.1
- A long-term study found that adults with Scheuermann's disease had more back pain than others, but it did not interfere greatly with their lives. Breathing was only affected in very severe curves.2
Things you can try at home
- Stay active: sport and exercise are encouraged and do not make the curve worse
- Do the strengthening and stretching exercises you have been given regularly
- Stretch the hamstrings and the front of the chest
- Break up long periods of sitting during study and screen time
- Avoid nagging about posture: the curve is structural and cannot simply be held straight
When to get urgent help
Contact your GP urgently, call NHS 111, or call 999 in an emergency if you have:
- Back pain with weakness, numbness or tingling in the legs, or changes in bladder or bowel control: get urgent medical help
- Back pain at night or at rest that does not ease, or pain with a fever, weight loss or feeling unwell: see your GP promptly
- A curve that is getting worse quickly: see your GP
- Chest pain or breathlessness: call 999 if severe or sudden
How Apollo can help
We assess whether a rounded back is flexible and postural or stiff and structural, and if it looks structural we ask your GP to arrange an X-ray. We explain what the findings mean, without blame, and set up an exercise programme to strengthen the back muscles, improve flexibility and ease aching. Hands-on treatment can help with stiffness and discomfort. Reformer Pilates is an option for older teenagers and adults. We refer on if the curve is large or progressing.
No GP referral needed. Clinics in Sheringham, Coltishall and Norwich.
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
Is Scheuermann's disease caused by bad posture?
No. It is a difference in how the bones of the upper back grow, and it tends to run in families. A postural curve flattens when the person stands tall or lies down. A Scheuermann's curve stays rounded.
Can exercise correct Scheuermann's disease?
Exercise cannot reshape the bones, but it can strengthen the back, improve flexibility and reduce aching. One trial found that specific exercises also reduced the measured curve. Larger curves in a growing teenager may also be treated with a brace.
Will it get worse in adulthood?
Most curves stop progressing once growth is complete. Adults with Scheuermann's disease are more likely to have back ache, which usually responds to staying active and keeping the back strong.
References
- Palazzo C, Sailhan F, Revel M (2014). Scheuermann's disease: An update. Joint Bone Spine 81:209-214. View source
- Murray PM, Weinstein SL, Spratt KF (1993). The natural history and long-term follow-up of Scheuermann kyphosis. The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery 75:236-248. View source
- Bezalel T, Carmeli E, Levi D, Kalichman L (2019). The Effect of Schroth Therapy on Thoracic Kyphotic Curve and Quality of Life in Scheuermann’s Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Asian Spine Journal 13:490-499. View source
This page is general information, not a diagnosis or a substitute for medical advice. If you are worried about your symptoms, speak to your GP or a registered healthcare professional. Content prepared from the sources above, November 2026.
